Improvement in railroad-gates



IMPROVEMENT IN RAILROAD-GATES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 181,163, dated August 15, 1876; application filed v August 1,1876. r

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying the elements of the invention. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section of same.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of same.

In the accompanying drawings, Arepresents agate, which may be of any desirable dimensions, it being, in the present instance, constructed of the vertical standards a, connected.

and secured by the horizontal bar 11, one end of which is left free to move in the slot 01, formed in the standard B, the other end being secured in any convenient and safe manner at the horizontal center of the weight D. This weight is preferably constructed in the form of a crescent, having the lug or projection 6 extending outward from the center of its concavity. The weight D is secured in the fork of the standard E by means of the pivot f passing through the projection or lug 6, so that the center of gravity of the weight preponderates outward beyond the standard E,

thereby balancing the weightof the entire gate,and forming a lever of the first order, the pivot f being designated as the fulcrum. Upon the inner side of thestandard E, encircling one end of the pivot f, is secured the coiled spring F, having its outer endso adjusted as to form an elastic butter for the gate, which, when brought to its vertical position, will come in contact with said buffer, and thus .be gradually arrested in its rotary motion. The reel H is also secured upon the pivot f, and is employed to receive the chain h as it is wound or released byjthe movement of the gate. The rail near the standard E, is provided on its inner edge with the elongated spring t, which is retained in position, in the present instance, by the bolt l passing through an aperture or slot in the plate L, and progle of about forty-five degrees, (45), their points impinging the lower side of the spring, and their opposite ends operating as counterbalances when at rest, and as checks when their 'points are depressed by the action of the spring yielding under the-pressure ofthe flange of the car-wheel.

The spurs M are rigidly secured to the inner ends of the rocking bars m, mounted in the blocks or bearings M, wherein they havea rotary movement. The rocking bars at are placed a convenient distanccapart, one being .on each side of the standard E, and provided near their outer endswith the arms a, which extend toward the standard, and are furnished with the apertures t, in whi'chthe free ends of the half-double chain h are secured. These ends pass from the arms a, beneath their respective pulleys T; thence they extend upward 7 a short distance and unite, forming above that vpoint a single chain,which continues to extend upward, and is-attached to the pulley H, which either tightens or releases the chain as the gate is raised or lowered.

It is obviousthat the flange of the wheel of an engine or car passing over the rails would depress the elongated spring 1', which, coming in contact with the spurs M, depresses them.

This causes the rocking bars m to rotate, c'ar- I rying the ends of the arms it away from the standard E. Thus, as the ends of the halfdouble chain h are secured to the arms a, they are also drawn outward. This movementdraws upon the pulley H, and compels it to revolve in the direction in which the power moving it is exerted, which direction is always rearward. The pulley H, being rigidly attached to the axis of the gate, causes it also to revolve, or rather have an oscillatory movement, one end of the said gate turning upon the point f,

while the other, by this movement, ascends, allowing the engine and cars to pass safely through. After the flange of the rear wheel of'the last car has passed over the spring 6, the power exerted in drawing the chain is released, and the gate, being nearlyon an equilibrium, but slightly preponderating toward the track, descends to its former position gradually and without dangerof breakage.

It is also obvious that the Withlll;( 1BSCPibBd gate may be used as a farm-gate, or upon a carriage-roadway, or in any other place desired, with but slight and unimportant changes, if

any, in its structure, and I do not, therefore,

limit myself to the use of the inventionupon railroads especially; but a i What I do claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. As a means of operating a gate, a chain composed of threeparts, one of which passes over a fixed pulley, the other two connecting opposite points, whence motion is communicated to the part upon the pulley,substantially as set forth. i i i 2. A vertically-rotating gate, provided with acoiled-spring buffer, the buffer being fixed to the inner side of the post, with its coil cirq 1 cnmjacent the pivot of the gate, substantially,

as set forth. p

3. A pair of counterbalanced spurs, having an elastic connection with the flange ot' a carwheel, and provided with rocking shafts and arnis,-which are connected by chains, or a chain, with the pulley on the gate, forthe pur pose of operating the gate, substantially as set forth.

4. Au elongated half-ellipticaljtrack-spring, detached athboth ends, andfheld in placeby guide'bolts, which move downward. in their.

fixedplates when the springi is depressedby the flange of the wheel, substantially as set;

forth.

elastic bufl'er F, and pulley H, substantially as described. 7

7. The combination of the gate A, provided with the weight D,-bufleIE,,reel:H, andfchain h, with the springt' audxrocking barsm, asdei scribed. 2

' s. The gate A, provided! with the weight:

D, buffer F, reel H, and chaiith, inco nbination with the spring 1', dogs M, rockingbars.

m, and arms at, substantially as specified.

scribed, I hayeherennto setmy hand. i

. MICHAEL FULGOMER. Witnesses: J

GHAs. U. GILL, J. H HERRON.

5. The combination of the elongated half-z elliptical spring with the. counterbalanced spurs, substantiallyas specified. 6. The gate A,provided with the Weight D, i

In, testimony thatI claim the foregoing improvement in. railroadrgates, as above. dey 

